In order to meet customer affordability expectations, General Manager Frank Lawson wants to trim $15 million and some 60 employees from EWEB’s annual budget by 2020.
EWEB is in the process of relicensing our Carmen-Smith Hydroelectric Project to operate for at least 40 more years. Replacing the massive turbine shut-off valves is one of the first key steps in the powerhouse modernization project.
"ShakeAlert" can provide precious seconds of early warning before the severe shaking waves from an earthquake arrive. We are proud to install sensors at our generation facilities, which will trigger automatic shut down of equipment in the event of an earthquake. The system does not yet support public warnings, but this version allows selected early adopters to develop pilot implementations that demonstrate the system’s utility and develop technologies that pave the way for broader use.
In order complete a major powerhouse upgrade, we will close public access to Trail Bridge and Lakes End campgrounds, the Trail Bridge Reservoir boat launch and Smith Reservoir.
The past several years have been difficult and financially challenging for the Eugene Water & Electric Board. I’m pleased to report that Oregon’s largest customer-owned utility has turned a significant corner and is today in a healthy financial position.